Yes, it's in the air! The spirit of Christmas once more warms this poor
distraught world.

Over the whole globe millions are looking forward to that one day when
strife can be forgotten, when it will be remembered that all human beings,
even the least are loved by God, when men will hope for the coming of the
Prince of Peace as they never hoped before.

But there is another world which is not poor.
Neither is it distraught.

It is the world of Alcoholics Anonymous, where
thousands dwell happily and secure.

Secure because each of us, in his own way, knows a
greater power who is love, who is just, and who can be trusted.

Nor can men and women of AA ever forget that only
through suffering did they find enough humility to enter the portals of
that New World. How privileged we are to understand so well the divine
paradox that strength rises from weakness, that humiliation goes before
resurrection; that pain is not only the price but the very touchstone of
spiritual rebirth.

Knowing it's full worth and purpose, we can no longer
fear adversity, we have found prosperity where there was poverty, peace
and joy have sprung out of the very midst of chaos.